Edwaed j



(No Model.)

B. J.f ROBERTS. GAR GOUPL'ING. `1010.307228. Patented0G13;28,- 1884.-

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Immunnuunmmmmmm vUsiiTnn STnTns PATENT Orifice,

EDVV'ARD J. ROBERTS, OF ASHLAND, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TOTVM. lV. OULBERTSON, OF SAME PLACE.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 307,228, dated October28, 188%.

Application tiled March 18, 1881i. (No model.)

To @ZZ `whom, t may conocia.

Be it known that I, EDWARD J. Ronilxn'rs, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Ashland, in the county of Boyd and State ofKentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCar-Couplings, of which the following is a specication.

According to my present improvement the draw-bar of the caris preferablymade hollow,

1o and Within the same is placed the link-retaining hook or pull-rod,strain on which is transmitted through the medium of a spiral springdirectly to the frame or body of the ear, the draw-bar itself beingemployed merely as a buffer, transmitting rearward strain to the framethrough themedium of the same spiral spring. The draw-bar or buffer isprovided with a plate or block, against which the head of the pull- J'odis forced by a stout bar or plate spring.

2o Between this plate or block and the inclined face of the pull-rod thelink is forced by theimpact of two cars, and, slipping past the notch orhook ofthe rod, is rmly held in place, the -rod being returned tocontact with the plate or block by the springbefore referred to. An L-lever is pivoted at the forward end of thepullrod and arranged to beoperated by hand directly or through tliemedium of alever, to elevate ordepress the link when coupling, as

3o well as to force the hook away from its bearing-surface when it isdesired to uneouple. The pull-rod is made adjustable by screw and nut onits rear end, and provided with a shoulder, between which shoulder andthe end of the draw-bar a spring is interposed, Vserving the doublepurpose oftaking up slack motion between the pull-rod and buffer and ofprojecting or permitting the retraction of the pullrod, thus adj ustingthe position of the link to 4o effect a coupling under compression ofthe buffer-spring.

In order that my invention maybe fully understood, I will proceed tode-scribe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, iu

which- Figure I is a plan view of a car-couplin g embodying myinvention. Fig. II is a vertical longitudinal section thereof. Fig. III`is an under side view of the same.

In a car-coupling constructed according to 5o n1 yimprovement thedraft-link l is adaptedto be retained by the hook-shaped vend 2 of apullrod or bar, (i, which transmits strain to draftplates 4 5, capableof forward and rearward movement, respectively, ina socket or yoke inthe frame of the car. A draw-bar, 7 preferably of open construction, ashere shown, is made hollow for the reception of the pull-rod or hook,and, having bearing at rear against plate 5, is adapted to act as abuffer, transmitoo ting strain through such plate and spring S to theplate l and frame of the car. It will be seen that both forward strainon the pull-rod and rearward pressure on the buffer will be transmittedthrough the medium of the plates 4 5 and spring S to the frame of theear. Upon the forward end of the draw-bar or buffer is arranged a blockor plate, 9, against which the lip ofthe hook 2 is made to bear by baror plate spring 10. The front of the hook 2 is in- 7o clined, as shown,to direct the link and aid in depressing the hook for coupling. Aforkedshaped L-lever, 1l, is fulcrumed to the hook 2,

g and, hanging down from the buffer, is adapted to be operated by handor through any usual means for this purpose, either to raise and lowerthe link when coupling, or to force apart hook 2and block 9, to permitthe pulling out of thelink when uncoupliug. Immediately on the pullingout of the link the L-lever l1 being re- 8o leased, the hook 2 isreturned to position against the plate 9 by the spring l0. In Fig. IIIis shown a erankshaft,14, journaled in the drafttimbers, and adapted tobe operated to work thelever 1l. rlhebearing ends of the L-lever S5 1lare preferably curved or beveled to allow itto move more freely over thelink when operated.

l'n order to prevent any loose motion between buffer and pull-rod, ashoulder or fiange, 12, is 9o formed upon the latter, and a spiralspring, 13, placed between the same and the rear end of the buffer.'This spring serves also the still more important function of lengtheningor permitting the shortening of the pull-rod accord-d ing to needtopermit coupling to t-ake place in any condition of the buffer.

The amount of compression of spring S and ille relative position ol thebuffer and the pull rod are regulated by means of nut or equivalentdevice adjustable on the inner end of' the pull-rod and bearing upon theplate 4.

The necessary traverse of the d raw-bar when turning curves is ai'iordedby the pressing` i'n of the bullers and pulling out ofthe rod 3,'thuscompressing springI S from both ends, the bufl'er and rod being bothautomaticallx7 returned to position when the curve is passed.

It is evident that, if desired, the plate 5 may be discarded, the springS in sueli. case bearing` directly against the rear end of the drawbar;but the arrangement here shown is preferred.

Haring thus described my invention, therfol lowing` is what I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

I. The combination of draw-bar or buii'er 7, block 9 thereon, and springrod or bar 2 (i, substantiallyas and l"oi"thepurposes set forth.

2. The draw-bar orbuft'er 7, having bearing block or plate 9, the springpull rod or bar 2 6, and lever Il pivoted thereto, for the purposessetfortli.

3. In combination with draw-bar 7 and pullrod or hook 2 6, the L-shapedlever 11, pivoted to said hook and adapted to lift the link for couplin`with au opposing draw-bar, and to release the link for uneoupling,substantially as shown and described.

4. In combination with pull-rod 6 and lever 11, pivoted thereto, thecrank-shaft 14, jour naled to the draft-timbers for operating suolilever, substantially in the manner described.

EDVARD J. ROBERTS.

Witnesses:

H. H. PINNEY, W. W. CULnmrrsoN.

